LOREN “SQUIRREL” CARL, who, among many other things, was Woodford County Sheriff, U.S. Marshall, and President of the Food Pantry of Woodford County, was honored by one of the second-grade groups. From left, after planting the young tree which will one day become a mighty oak, are Walker Carl, his brother Westin, Logan Mitchell, Will Nichols, and Eric Liao. Standing behind them are Squirrel’s daughter and wife, Hope Shelters and Kelly Carl, a Woodford County Fiscal Court magistrate. (Photo by Scott White)
MICHAEL DALEY, one of the Southside students who participated in the tree project, spoke at the dedication and planting ceremony before a large group including fellow students, teachers, administrators and staff of Southside, plus the honorees and their families along with several special guests including Superintendent Dr. Lori Jones, Woodford County Judge Executive James Kay, Versailles Mayor Laura Dake, Woodford County Emergency Management Agency Director Drew Chandler, Versailles Fire Department Chief T.A. Rankin, and Deputy Chief Brandon Brown. (Photo by Mackenzie Durr)
SOUTHSIDE TEACHER KELLY MCGEE is talking to the class in preparation for the big tree planting event. (Photo by Mackenzie Durr)
Last year, all of the second graders at Southside Elementary began work on a gift to the community and generations of future students. Last Friday, Nov. 7, the gift came to fruition. The property line dividing Southside Elementary’s property, near the playground, was a fence line with an abundance of mature and small trees that expanded into the adjoining property. However, the property was one of the final phases of the Cedar Ridge subdivision, and it had begun to be cleared and built out.
As part of this, the developer took down the trees. The students, teachers, staff, and parents soon noticed a large drop in wildlife in the area and the loss of the rural feel with the construction sites now in plain view.So, they decided to do something about it, and their teachers saw a tremendous opportunity. Recognizing this as the perfect situation for a “project-based learning” (PBL) program, the teachers seized the opportunity to teach students how to identify and explore real world problems and find solutions to them.
Kelly McGee, one of the second grade teachers, explained PBL, “as teachers, we want to create authentic lessons for students so that they will remember these skills, and be able to use them throughout their life.”They used the project to study citizenship, where the students learned ways people can make a difference in their community, and then see how they could make a difference in their own school . . . and, in a way that would have a long-lasting impact. With framing by the teachers via PBL, the second graders decided to plant trees on the school’s property to create a new barrier between the neighborhood being built and the playground to restore the lost environment. “These second graders exemplified creative problem solving and became responsible contributors in their school,” McGee said.According to Mackenzie Durr, the principal, 16 trees were planted, either white oak or cherry bark oak. Each class was in charge of four trees and finding four special community members, for a total of 16, to honor with a tree. Durr said, “The students thought about impactful people at our school and in our community and chose these honorees themselves after learning about good citizenship.” McGee said the project “is meant to be a Legacy PBL project, which means we will continue to learn about people who have made a difference in our community and continue to plant more trees to honor those people.”The seedling trees were donated by the Woodford Conservation District, and the Master Gardeners of Woodford County helped gather needed materials. The trees were grown in pots during the last school year. The Master Gardeners, including the Woodford County horticulturist, came and spoke to the students about the types of trees, how to plant a tree and how to take care of the trees once planted on the school’s property.It all culminated last Friday with a presentation in the library by the class on the project. They then adjourned outside on a gorgeous, crisp morning to plant the trees. Each honoree was paired up with their four-student group for the planting of each tree . . . creating a new tree row, which will in the next few years, form a new buffer for the playground and, hopefully, a return of wildlife. Eric Liau, who was in the group that honored former Woodford County Sheriff and U.S. Marshall Loren “Squirrel” Carl, said, “This was so much fun, and it is really neat Mrs. Carl was here. I hope the deer and squirrels come back soon. We miss seeing them.”“These trees are not just trees, but a symbol and a reminder of those great citizens in our community who have made a difference in the lives of Woodford Countians,” said McGee. As well as “people like our school nurse, our former principal and government leaders” who were also chosen as honorees.